Top 9 Places to Visit in Puri
Top 9 Places to Visit in Puri : Puri, the sacred home of Lord Jagannath, is a charming coastal city located along the Bay of Bengal in Odisha. The city’s main attraction is the Shree Jagannath Temple, one of the revered Char Dham pilgrimage sites in Hinduism. In addition to its famous temples, Puri is known for its holy water bodies like the Pancha Tirth, where pilgrims traditionally take a dip to fulfill their spiritual journey. The city is also renowned for its stunning beach, which holds both religious and scenic appeal for visitors.
1. Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri
Puri is closely associated with the Shree Jagannath Temple, one of the four sacred pilgrimage sites forming the Char Dham for Hindus in India. This grand temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, revered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. His siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, also form the divine triad worshipped at the temple.
Originally constructed in the 12th century, the shrine underwent several additions until the 16th century. Today, it stands elevated on a raised platform, encircled by two protective walls—the inner Kuruma Bheda and the outer Meghnad Pachira. The temple features four gates aligned with the cardinal directions, with the eastern gate, Singhadwara, serving as the main entrance.
The annual Rath Yatra, or Chariot Festival, held in June or July, draws millions of devotees from around the world, captivated by its grand scale and spiritual significance.
2. Puri Beach
Alongside the famous temple, Puri Beach is another must-see attraction for visitors to the city. Located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, the beach is often bustling with pilgrims who come to bathe in its waters after offering prayers at the Shree Jagannath Temple. Beyond its religious significance, the beach is popular among tourists for its pristine sandy stretch and powerful waves.
The stunning views during sunrise and sunset draw many visitors to this spot. Several small stalls line the beach, offering snacks and souvenirs. The Puri Beach Festival, held in November, is a major highlight, drawing large crowds with its lively cultural performances.
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3. Loknath Temple
Located less than 5 kilometers from Jagannath Temple, Loknath Temple is a prominent religious site in Puri. This 11th-century shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and its lingam is typically submerged in a natural underground spring throughout most of the year. The water is drained on Pankoddhar Ekadashi, three days before the revered Shivaratri Festival, allowing the lingam to become visible. This special occasion attracts thousands of devotees to the temple.
4. Raghurajpur Artist Village
Raghurajpur is a traditional crafts village renowned for its artistic heritage, home to over 120 artisans specializing in various art forms, with Pattachitra being the most notable. The term ‘Pattachitra’ combines ‘patta,’ meaning cloth, and ‘chitra,’ meaning painting, referring to paintings on cloth. These artworks often depict religious and mythical themes, focusing on the divine triad of Lord Jagannath, His brother Lord Balabhadra, and His sister Goddess Subhadra.
In addition to paintings on cloth and the renowned tassar fabric, you can find these art forms on dried palm leaves, as well as coconut and betel nuts. The village also offers papier-mâché masks and handcrafted toys made from stone and wood, making for unique souvenirs.
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5. Jambeswara Temple
According to legend, Puri was once a prominent center for the worship of Shiva, and the Jambeswara Temple is a notable shrine dedicated to Him. Known as Yameswar Temple due to the deity being worshipped as Yameswara, this lesser-known but important temple is thought to have been built between the 10th and 11th centuries.
While all Hindu festivals are celebrated with enthusiasm at this temple, it is during Shivaratri that the site draws the largest number of devotees, highlighting its significance in Puri.
6. Narendra Sarovar
Narendra Sarovar is considered the largest of the sacred tanks in Puri, covering approximately 3.24 hectares. Also referred to as Narendra Pokhari or Narendra Tank, this reservoir features an island that houses a temple dedicated to the holy triad: Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra.
The reservoir is renowned for hosting the Chandan Yatra, a famous summer festival. This festival, named after the sandalwood (chandan) used in the rituals, celebrates the holy triad with sandalwood offerings. The 42-day festival starts on Akshaya Tritiya, which also marks the beginning of the construction of the chariot for the celebrated Car Festival or Rath Yatra in Puri.
7. Markandeshwar Temple
Another well-known Shiva temple in Puri is the Markandeshwar Temple, also known as Markandesvara Temple, Markandeya Shiva Temple, and Markandeshwar Mahadeva Temple. According to legend, the sage Markandeya built this shrine after Lord Shiva saved him during meditation, which is how the temple got its name.
The temple is integral to various Hindu rituals and ceremonies, including Chandra Yatra, Kaliyadalan, Balabhadra Janma, and Sital Sasthi. It is believed that the temple held significant religious importance during the 12th century, particularly under the Eastern Ganga dynasty, as indicated by inscriptions found at the temple and the adjacent Markandeya tank, one of the Pancha Tirtha of Puri.
8. Gundicha Temple
Situated about 3 kilometers from Jagannath Temple, the Gundicha Temple is set amidst a charming garden and is also known as the Garden House of Jagannath. This shrine is thought to have served as a summer retreat for the holy triad.
Constructed in light-grey sandstone with the traditional Kalinga architectural style, the temple features four main sections: the Vimana (tower structure housing the sanctum), Jagamohana (assembly hall), Natamandapa (festival venue), and Bhogamandapa (offerings hall). Positioned at the end of Bada Danda, the main route of the Puri Rath Yatra, the deities enter the temple through the western gate and exit through the eastern gate (Nakachana).
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9. Pancha Tirtha
Pancha Tirtha denotes the five sacred bathing tanks in Puri: Indradyumna, Markandeya, Swetaganga, Rohini, and Mahodadhi. Pilgrims consider bathing in these tanks essential to completing their spiritual journey in Puri.
The pilgrimage begins at Markandeya Tank near the Markandeshwar Temple, which is believed to be the site where Lord Vishnu once resided as a neem tree. Rohini Kund is located within the Jagannath Temple grounds, while Indradyumna is situated near Gundicha Temple. Swetaganga Tank lies south of Niladri, the residence of Lord Jagannath. Mahodadhi, found at Swargadwar, is regarded as a gateway to heaven, where devotees bathe to attain moksha or liberation.
Top 9 Places to Visit in Puri : In addition to these sacred sites, visitors can explore Pipili, a heritage village renowned for its applique work, and the Sudarshan Crafts Museum, which showcases paintings, sculptures, and crafts by the renowned artist Sudarshan Sahoo. Other noteworthy sites include Vimala Temple, frequented by tantric worshippers, Mausima Temple, located between Jagannath Temple and Gundicha Temple, the 8th-century Govardhan Math established by Adi Shankaracharya, and Lakshmi Temple, where Goddess Lakshmi is believed to have welcomed Shiva and Parvati after their marriage.